Crous said EP had lined up two mid-season friendlies ahead of the tournament, playing Western Province on July 25 and the Blue Bulls on August 7.

EP kick off their Absa Currie Cup campaign with a home game against arch-rivals the Emirates Golden Lions, on August 15.

They will play five home games and, apart from the Lions game, they face Steval Pumas (August 29), the Sharks (September 5) the Cheetahs (September 26) and the still to be determined qualifier on October 17.

Away games will be against the Sharks (August 22), the Golden Lions (September 12), the Pumas (September 19), Western Province (October 3) and the Blue Bulls (October 10).